LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL TO SUPPORT EVERTON FC PLANS FOR NEW STADIUM IN LIVERPOOL WATERS

Liverpool City Council is set to agree the principles of an innovative finance model with Everton Football Club that will support the Premier League club’s ambition to build an iconic waterfront stadium in the city.

A report will be presented to the Council’s Cabinet next Friday (31 March) recommending that the City Council progress Heads of Terms to create a new Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) company which will take a lease of the stadium from a funder and in turn sub-lease it to the club.

Earlier this week, Everton and Peel Land and Property agreed Heads of Terms to acquire a site at Bramley Moore Dock – which forms part of a £5bn Liverpool Waters scheme – from Peel, subject to planning consent. The announcement follows detailed negotiations between Peel and Everton Football Club, brokered by the Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson.

The recommendation being presented to the council’s cabinet follows months of talks between the local authority and the club and following advice from independent financial and legal experts who have reviewed Everton’s “robust business case”.

Under the proposed finance structure of the SPV (see notes to editors for an explanation on the terms) the council will not provide any finance for the new stadium, which is anticipated to cost in excess of £300m and will be fully funded by the club.

The council will benefit from an annual security fee payable by the club in return for the council’s participation. Critically, the support provided to the club will not impact the future borrowing needs and involves no financial outlay for the council.

The proposed stadium will be a catalyst for economic regeneration and job creation in north Liverpool and would complement the council’s proposed £100m regeneration drive in the surrounding area, which includes a new Cruise Liner terminal and the recently launched masterplan for the Ten Streets area.

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said:

“I’m delighted that we have got to a stage where the city and Everton can publicly share the vision for the club’s potential new home at Bramley Moore Dock.

“I understand that creating this financial arrangement is a small step in a long journey for the club, but it is the first step and for that reason it is a special moment in the city’s – and Everton’s – long illustrious history. If things progress as we all hope, it marks the beginnings of a new and exciting chapter.

“The proposed new stadium will be a landmark for the city’s spectacular north Liverpool waterfront and a powerful statement of intent for the club and the city of Liverpool that will resonate globally.

“From the city’s perspective, the stadium would complement and accelerate the regeneration plans already in place for north Liverpool, much like the way our partnership with Liverpool FC in the Anfield Project did for their stadium expansion which has benefitted the wider Anfield community.”

Robert Elstone, Chief Executive, Everton Football Club, added:

“Over the past year, the club has worked with the support of the council and we are grateful for the ‘can-do’ approach that has got us to this important milestone. We are particularly grateful for the role the Mayor has played to date in our talks with Peel and helping us overcome one of our biggest hurdles, developing a solution that will allow us to find the funds we need to build the stadium, on terms that make it viable.

“We are also delighted that we have been able to agree agree Heads of Terms with Peel which gives us control of the Bramley Moore Dock site and allows us the time we need to undertake the substantial further work and provide certainty to the requirements of the City Council which we need to complete and sign-off before we can confirm the stadium will come to fruition.

“Critically, now we must determine the specific cost of the new stadium, a cost that will be significantly higher at Bramley Moore Dock. To do that, and ensure its affordable, we need to define the stadium design, capacity and configuration in much greater detail. And to do that, we need to embark on a lengthy period of detailed consultation with all stakeholders, particularly our fans.

“Fans should recognise not only the scale of the work ahead but also the remaining risks and uncertainties. Yes, we have made progress. We’re delighted we’ve secured the site, and we’re equally delighted the Mayor is continuing to support the development of the financing model, but, significant hurdles remain.”

Today’s announcement follows on from Peel’s declaration at the MIPIM Property Conference last week of other deals totaling £300m of investment in the Liverpool Waters scheme.

Lindsey Ashworth, Director of Development at Liverpool Waters, said:

“We are delighted to have agreed Heads of Terms with Everton Football Club regarding the development of a state-of-the-art football stadium at Bramley Moore Dock.

“It’s been an exciting and progressive couple of weeks for Peel, first unveiling our vision for the new Central Docks neighbourhood at Liverpool Waters and now reaching an initial agreement with Everton for a new waterfront stadium.

“It’s important to remember that this is the start of a long process and we will be working very closely with Everton, Liverpool City Council and Historic England to develop the proposals. As the current owners, we have a level of knowledge and experience of the site which we believe will help Everton deliver not just a new stadium but a stunning addition to Liverpool’s northern waterfront.”

Subject to approval being granted by cabinet, the council will finalise the detailed Heads of Terms over the next three months which will then allow the club to progress with the preparation of a planning application.